Well hello once again lovelies,
Yes, I am back once again, you’re welcome. Today I’d like to discuss beta reading as I’ve just finished beta-ing for a fellow writer and I realized I’ve never discussed it here before.
I am a big advocate for free beta reading as the reader gets just as much (actually more) than the author involved does. This usually includes a free copy of the writing in question for them to read. Plus they get to read it for free, without paying and all they have to do is give their opinion in the work, that worked, that didn’t work, what they liked and didn’t like. Which is why I disagree with paid betas as they’re basically asking to be paid to give their opinion on something.
Give your opinion isn’t hard and therefore not a job. If you beta for someone it’s because you enjoy doing that thing they are participating in ie. reading and you are interested in their genre or their idea. Plus, the writer is taking all the risk. They give you a free copy of their writing and for all they know you could be selling it or distributing it before they have a chance to stand up and say it belongs to them. Now on top of that issue you are asking to get paid for that.
I think beta reading should be free because you are choosing to do something you enjoy doing to help someone else better their craft. The reader gets a lot out of the deal of free beta reading, and they get bragging rights. They get to say they beta-ed for an author, that they got to read a book before it was published. That’s insanely cool.
And being a beta is not editing, therefore not a career. They are not doing a service, they are doing a favour. They don’t edit the work and make it better, they don’t find mistakes and vigorously work with the writer to fix the problem. They read a story and give their opinion sometimes answering a few important questions given to them.
I’ve beta read for a few authors on many occasions and I enjoy doing it. I’m also a writer who hopes to get betas to read my work one day. I enjoy reading anyway and whether I read this book or not, I will be reading, I’ll just read something else. So why not put my reading, my thoughts and opinions to good use and help someone else better their writing. Especially considering it doesn’t take a lot of effort.
I realize this is a controversial subject and that many writers, authors, especially new ones believe in paid beta reading. They believe that paid betas do better work and give better comments and answers to questions. I just feel they are overpaying. And I would never charge someone for beta reading for them. To me it’s unethical to charge for a hobby that I would be doing anyway. If they are editing my work I will pay them, but if they’re just reading it I will not. In my experience free betas are good so there’s no need to pay for betas. You just need to find good ones.
Well, thank you for tuning in guys. Sorry if that talk seemed much more serious than usual. I feel very strongly about this and I’ve never paid for a beta and never been paid as a beta and I never will and I’ll never ask for money for reading someone else's work. I’m sorry if some of you disagree with me on this point. And maybe it’s because I can't afford to pay a beta to read or me or a different reason, I stand where I stand.
Thank you for listening to my opinion. If you’re looking for advice about betas then I’ll say this. You don’t have to pay them, if you look in the right places and find the right trustworthy people, they will do it for free and gladly. I missed you guys and I’ll miss you until I get back! Lots of love guys! Comment your opinion below and why you hold that opinion. This is a safe place. I will argue my side, but I don’t do low blows unless you start it. So please be respectful and I will do the same. Feel free to argue your point and we can have a civil discussion. Happy reading and writing! Until next time, bye.
Celine Rose Marie